This study was conducted on prevalence of intestinal helminthes infection and their associated risk factors among school children from a rural and a semi urban setting in Lumame town, Northwest, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional parasitological study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal helminthes infection. A total of 402 students' stool samples were taken and processed with direct wet mount and formalin ether concentration techniques from December to January 2011/2012. A structured questionnaire was prepared to assess the association of intestinal helminthes infection with socio-demographic and socioeconomic variables. The data collected was analyzed using  2 test and logistic regression (p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant). The overall prevalence rate for at least one intestinal helminthes infection was 54.5%. Of which Ascaris lumbricoides (32.6%) was the dominant followed by hookworm (12.2%); the others were minor cases. High rate infection (A. lumbricoides) was recorded among students who had dirty finger nails, large family, habit of eating undercooked vegetable, walking barefoot, and had no latrine than their respective counterpart. Such relatively high prevalence rate of helminthes infection in the study area could be used as a baseline for the concerned bodies to launch de-worming intervention.

Fourteen morphological and eight morphometric traits on a total of 456 adult cattle (354 cows and 102 oxen) from five purposively selected districts were recorded to characterize the cattle populations in eastern Ethiopia. Frequency, general linear model, and multivariate analysis procedures of Statistical Analysis Software (SAS 9.0) were used to analyze the data. The morphological similarities among the cattle populations from Tulo, Jarso, and Fedis districts confirm the presence of a unique cattle breed which was previously referred to as Harar cattle. The same was observed for the cattle populations from Jigjiga and Kebri Beyah districts which were previously referred to as Ogaden cattle. The Harar cattle are characterized by their forward-oriented, widely spaced, and medium-length horns while the Ogaden cattle possess upright-oriented, narrowly spaced short horns. The majority of the Ogaden cattle had gray body color while the Harar cattle possess multiple body colors where red and its combination with white and black colors are observed frequently. Most of the morphometric measurement values were higher for the oxen, while the cows had longer horns. Moreover, Ogaden cattle had higher morphometric measurement values than the Harar cattle. According to the multivariate analysis results the cattle populations in the study area were separated into two breeds; the Harar and Ogaden. However, these results only showed the phenotypic differences which might not necessarily be due to genetic differences. Therefore, further genetic characterization is recommended to understand their level of relationships which in turn helps to design conservation and breeding programs.

Little is known on wild animal threats and their relative severity in most biospheres reserves of Ethiopia. This study was conducted during the period of May 2015 to June 2015 and was aimed at documenting relative severity of current threats of Yayu Biosphere Reserve, Southwestern Ethiopia. One hundred farmers in and around Yayu biosphere reserve were interviewed. The most relatively severe threat factors were conversation of land use, deforestation and degradation, grazing, firewood and investments. This study evaluates the degree of pressure and threats from human activities on wild animal in Yayu biosphere reserve. Five Kebeles of Yayu biosphere reserve were randomly selected as representative sample sites, namely Achebo, Wabo, Bondewo, Geji, and Witaetia. Primary data was collected through rapid assessment and prioritization of biosphere reserve designed through semistructure questionnaire, recommended for evaluation of management effectiveness of biosphere reserve. All sites of biosphere reserves were severely threatened by logging, unsustainable use demand and exploitation of natural resource by the local communities surrounding the biosphere. Thus, these findings emphasize the biogeographical importance of this biosphere reserve within the Biodiversity Hotspot, and the need for more study. With increasing human encroachment at its doorstep, it is time for policy makers to upgrade this reserve to a higher level of protection.

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